Food Costs Hit Roof But The Rent Is Alright

Somewhere in Kingsland...

Soaring global food prices have hit the roof this year yet flatters at The Kamona are thankful rent prices in Kingsland have stayed the same.

The New Zealand Herald reported this morning that, "the median rent for a three-bedroom property in Mt Eden (including Kingsland and Balmoral) rose a modest 2 per cent in the year [2010] to December," compared with the mid-20% increases of houses in suburbs like Takapuna and Remuera.

Flatters at the Kamona have enjoyed a consistent flat-rent price since 2008.

"The only reason I stay here is because of the rent, to be honest," says leaseholder Paul, "although it is a great flat."

The article also mentioned Kingsland's growing popularity in this year's renting stakes, with one local property hosting "200 would-be renters in a half-hour open-home."

After a particularly buoyant flat-meeting last week The Kamona looks like it will stay strictly 'No Vacancy' for some time, however.

Competing with soaring food prices is La Nina's humid temperatures, and electronic fans have been "flying off" retailer shelves, reported another Herald article.

With no budget for appliances, Maddy prefers using Willy's chilly-bin, tossed in for free when he bought a couch off TradeMe, to keep cool.

Neighbour Murray celebrated his birthday last week.

He enjoyed a banana cake at The Kamona before acting as Duty Manager for a night at a popular Kingsland cafe.

Candles in the shape of a '30' were used as a ruse to keep Murray's real age incognito after rumours were spread when he disclosed his age to a neighbour in private.